Cutting-die



(No Mpdel.)

W, BIGG'S'.

CUTTING DIE.

Patented Feb. 13, 1883'.

WILLIAM BIGGS,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CUTTI NG-DIE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 272,115, dated February 13,1883.

Application filed December 4, 1882. (No model.) I 7 1'0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM BIGGS, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cutting-Dies, of which the following, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top or plan view of a die embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a like representation, showing one of the side plates removed. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the die, showing a part of the cutter or'knife broken away. Fig. 4 is a side view, broken away and shown partly in section, the sectional part being in the plane of the line or a: of Fig. 1, and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow there shown and Fig. 5 is a perspective of the lower end of the bandle.

Like letters of reference indicate likaparts.

A A represent the side plates of the die, which in the example shown are in the form of shoe-quarters; but their form may be varied according to the nature of the work to be done. The edges of these plates are turned in slightly toward each other, as is clearly indicated at a a, Fig. 4, so that the die may be moved with facility over the leather without obstruction and without injury to the leather.

B B are vertical posts or studs connecting the plates A and A rigidly to each other. These posts are by preference made of metal.

0 is a brace, made by preference of steel, and the posts 13 B pass freely through the brace O.

D D are spiral springs surrounding the exposed parts of the posts B B, and the ends of these springs rest respectively against the brace O and the plates A and A, as shown.

E is a knifeor cutter attached rigidly to the brace U. The edges of this knife or cutter are both sharpened for work, and stand a little way out from but about in the same plane with the edges of the plates A and A, as is clearly indicated in Figs. 3 and 4.

F is a vertically-arranged marker applied to the cutter, and G G are markers or punches extending from the brace G. v

G G are holes in the plates A and A, and these holes are so located as to permit the punches G G to pass through them when the brace O is depressed.

His the handle. The brace O has in it a central opening, I, to receive the handle, and J J are openings in the plates A and A to permit the handle to be inserted into the opening I. The lower partof the handle is shouldered, as shown at b b, to rest upon the brace 0 when the handle is inserted into the opening I, and a care lugs on the lower end of the handle H. The opening I is grooved vertically to receive the lugs c c, as shown at c c, and the edges of the opening I are countersunk, as shown ate 0, to engage the lugs c 0 when the handle H is turned to bring these lugs in contact with the portions 0 c of the brace G. The countersunk parts 0 c are somewhat spiral or inclined, so thatas the handle His turned, after being inserted into the opening I, the shoulder b will be drawn tightly against the brace 0, thereby holding the handle firmly in place. The handle is thus made capable of being applied to either side of the die. and may be inserted and removed with facility.

The function of the markerFis to mark each quarter alike which is cut by the same die, so that each of these quarters may be readily distinguished as being of the same size, or as belongingto shoes of the same size, and the punches G G mark the quarters, so that the relation of the quarter to the vamp may be readily ascertained.

It will be perceived from the foregoing description and from reference to the drawings that the die shown and now described is capable of being reversed, so that rights and lefts may be cut by means of the same die, thehan- (lle being removed and applied to the other side of the die. It is to be understood that the upper end of the handle may be struck, it necessary, in order to drive the knife through the leather. It is also obvious that the form of the die may be changed or modified to correspond to the nature of the work to be performed or the class of goods to out. When it is deemed best not to connect the handle to the die, the handle or its equivalent may simply be placed on the brace and struck with a mallet.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a cutting-die, the knife or cutter having upper and lower cutting-edges adapted to be reversed, so that rights andlefts maybe out by the same knife or cutter, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, in a cutting-die, of a cutter or knifehaving upper and lower cuttingedges, and a removable handle adapted to be applied alternately to both sides of the said die, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. The combination, in a cutting-die, of a double-edged cutter, E, a yielding brace orstock for the said cutter, and the plates A and A;1 substantially as and for thepurpo'ses specifie 4. The combination, in a cutting-die, of the double-edged cutter E, provided with a marker, F, a yielding brace or stock for the said cutter, and the plates A and A, substantially as and forthe purposes specified.

5. The combination, in a cutting-die, of the yielding brace or stock 0, provided with the punches or markers G G, the double edged cutter E, applied to the said brace, and the plates A and A, substantially as and for the WILLIAM BIGGS.

Witnesses F. F. WARNER, G. J. KRUMBEIN. 

